Yum! I got the kids some sno cone syrup, which also happens to make really tasty martinis-- who'd a thunk such a tasty childhood treat could become a delightful portal of intoxication? Hopefully I'll be so snoggered I won't hear the new neighbors whoopin' it up tonight, or the sirens from the fire department after they set the woods on fire with their obnoxious, late night pyrotechnics (with country music blaring in the background. at 1 am. Satan has descended upon the earth and I am sad to report that he wears a cowboy hat and sings with a southern twang. at 1 am.) *Sigh* I am too much of a tightass to think it is anything but horrific. These folks had multiple triple xxx sized ATV's roaming about their 1/2 acre property this afternoon-- it looked ridiculous, and it was noisy and irritating. And these folks need donations and the services of several qualified mechanics, quick--as none of the 8 vehicles parked in their front yard have working exhaust systems. VROOOOM, VROOOOM, RUMBLERUMBLERUMBLE-- the sweet sounds rousted Mr Six up from his sleep at 12 am and set him off on a fit of barking which woke the whole household. I've never called the cops on anyone before (well, except for that time we got kicked out of a party in 1987 and called the police to retaliate....), but I think it may be time-- and we haven't even officially met these meatballs yet.
In any event, I'd better be sure to pace myself-- I hate showing up to church in the am with a hangover. Tee hee.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Chicken Coop Garden
I finally got around to ordering the massive pile of patio blocks I need to begin the landscaping around the chicken coop. I dug a new garden last summer, only to discover it becomes a swamphole when it rains, since it is a low spot on the property.
My plan is to put a double stack of the patio blocks around the perimeter of the garden and get a dump load of dirt to fill in, with an elevated cedar plank walkway leading to the door. Jake and I need to jack the coop up about a foot, since the flood waters reach up to the floor of the coop, making the girl's bedding wet all spring and just about anytime it rains. I ordered more chicks today as well (again, it's about time! Esp since they won't start laying until fall now), so I need to get the brooder cleaned out, too-- work work, and more work! Gotta love the spring!
I turned the soil today in between rain showers for the patio herb garden: I think in that spot, I'll plant salad greens, cilantro, spinach, oregano, thyme, and a couple basil plants-- maybe a sno pea plant or 2, if I can swing it. Once I can clear out the plants from the butterfly garden (to relocate over into the coop garden), I'll plant beets, roma tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, a bell pepper, some dill, lavender, rosemary, a cuke plant and some green onions. It'll be my "spaghetti and salsa" garden-- fun!
Every year, I toil to get the *huge* back garden plot dug and planted-- it's a whole day, backbreaking affair. And then, I have to water it, pick the bugs off, weed it-- roast, and sweat, and get all muddy-- all to feel guilty that I ultimately let most of the bounty go to rot, as I either lose interest in the garden after all that work, it's too friggin hot when it's time to harvest, or I just don't have the time or ambition to keep up with it. Having a small spot closer to the house will make it more likely I will tend to the plot, and see a better, fresher return for my labors. Well, that's the theory at least.
Anyhoo, I'm hoping all this will come together, so I'm not hauling 150 patio blocks in July: I'd like to get it taken care of while it's still cool outside.
On a happy note, I noticed the flax is sprouting in the prairie-- hooray! I hope at least a few of the 80 gazillion echinacea, galliardia, coreopsis, and rudbeckia seeds I hand picked and broadcast all season begin to sprout. I would be so pleased to have my field of wildflowers... I'll post some photos when the rain stops.
My plan is to put a double stack of the patio blocks around the perimeter of the garden and get a dump load of dirt to fill in, with an elevated cedar plank walkway leading to the door. Jake and I need to jack the coop up about a foot, since the flood waters reach up to the floor of the coop, making the girl's bedding wet all spring and just about anytime it rains. I ordered more chicks today as well (again, it's about time! Esp since they won't start laying until fall now), so I need to get the brooder cleaned out, too-- work work, and more work! Gotta love the spring!
I turned the soil today in between rain showers for the patio herb garden: I think in that spot, I'll plant salad greens, cilantro, spinach, oregano, thyme, and a couple basil plants-- maybe a sno pea plant or 2, if I can swing it. Once I can clear out the plants from the butterfly garden (to relocate over into the coop garden), I'll plant beets, roma tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, a bell pepper, some dill, lavender, rosemary, a cuke plant and some green onions. It'll be my "spaghetti and salsa" garden-- fun!
Every year, I toil to get the *huge* back garden plot dug and planted-- it's a whole day, backbreaking affair. And then, I have to water it, pick the bugs off, weed it-- roast, and sweat, and get all muddy-- all to feel guilty that I ultimately let most of the bounty go to rot, as I either lose interest in the garden after all that work, it's too friggin hot when it's time to harvest, or I just don't have the time or ambition to keep up with it. Having a small spot closer to the house will make it more likely I will tend to the plot, and see a better, fresher return for my labors. Well, that's the theory at least.
Anyhoo, I'm hoping all this will come together, so I'm not hauling 150 patio blocks in July: I'd like to get it taken care of while it's still cool outside.
On a happy note, I noticed the flax is sprouting in the prairie-- hooray! I hope at least a few of the 80 gazillion echinacea, galliardia, coreopsis, and rudbeckia seeds I hand picked and broadcast all season begin to sprout. I would be so pleased to have my field of wildflowers... I'll post some photos when the rain stops.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Weenie day:
For whatever reason, I had a sucky day-- I just couldn't seem to wake up: all my attempts to be amusing fell flat, I made a ton of stupid pee pee errors, I left work with a bag of narcotics in my pocket (good thing I didn't get pulled over-- the Demerol was already drawn up and ready to go... yeesh!), I ate 1/3 of a bag of dark chocolates, my dog growled at me (twice), and it looks quite certain that I will NOT be getting said wonderful job, after weeks of waiting. Boy! My butt is dragging... almost like a waste of the day. Boo.
I finished the taxes yesterday, which was a flaming pain in the ass-- who knew you had to be so intelligent to fulfill your yearly obligation as a taxpayer? When all was said and done, for John Q. Very Uncomplicated Taxpayer, I printed up 9 pages of federal tax forms and screwed them up twice-- and I still feel pretty certain that I am forgetting a form somewhere. I am very tempted to run to the stupid WalMart yet again and buy the Turbo Tax-- I'm just not sure you can use it year after year Ah! To be so cheap and yet so unmotivated... the best outcome of this most recent fiasco is that I have a much greater understanding of how we are screwing ourselves by being ignorant of the tax laws-- and how incompetent our well-paid tax guy is... over the years I've missed out on claiming my student loans, my tuition, years of childcare, church/charity donations-- isn't it the guy's job to ask about such things? Guess not. Well, no more $160 paid to remain languishing in our ignorance, and with a lame tax return to boot. I prefer to be ignorant on a cheaper scale, thankyouverymuch.
So Jake paid $7500 in taxes, I paid $2600, with $4500 property taxes. We may be blessed with decent jobs and a nice home, but methinks we are getting screwed.
I finished the taxes yesterday, which was a flaming pain in the ass-- who knew you had to be so intelligent to fulfill your yearly obligation as a taxpayer? When all was said and done, for John Q. Very Uncomplicated Taxpayer, I printed up 9 pages of federal tax forms and screwed them up twice-- and I still feel pretty certain that I am forgetting a form somewhere. I am very tempted to run to the stupid WalMart yet again and buy the Turbo Tax-- I'm just not sure you can use it year after year Ah! To be so cheap and yet so unmotivated... the best outcome of this most recent fiasco is that I have a much greater understanding of how we are screwing ourselves by being ignorant of the tax laws-- and how incompetent our well-paid tax guy is... over the years I've missed out on claiming my student loans, my tuition, years of childcare, church/charity donations-- isn't it the guy's job to ask about such things? Guess not. Well, no more $160 paid to remain languishing in our ignorance, and with a lame tax return to boot. I prefer to be ignorant on a cheaper scale, thankyouverymuch.
So Jake paid $7500 in taxes, I paid $2600, with $4500 property taxes. We may be blessed with decent jobs and a nice home, but methinks we are getting screwed.
Chicken Bundles, Turkey Tetrazini
Dinners This Week:
I have been in a cooking mood this week:
Monday: Asian Chicken Soup with soba noodles, sno peas, broccoli, and napa cabbage. It was ok, I'd probably find a good tom ka gai recipe and make it instead, with extra veggies.
Tuesday: Chicken bundles stuffed with feta, olive tapenade, and roasted red peppers. I served them with whole wheat pasta tossed with olive oil, fresh parmesan, garlic, and ricotta cheese with coarse ground salt and pepper. Awesome! The chicken bundles were prepared ahead and frozen, making them incredibly easy.
Ingredients
Serving: Serves 8
8 Ounces feta cheese, crumbled (2 Cups)
1/2 Cup jarred roasted red peppers, rinsed, patted dry, and coarsely chopped
1/2 Cup pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped (I used an olive tapenade I had in the fridge)
3 large scallions, thinly sliced (1 Cup)
1 Teaspoon dried oregano
16 (about 4 pounds total) chicken cutlets
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 Cups tomato sauce, (optional)
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine feta, peppers, olives, scallions, and oregano. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
Place cutlets on a flat surface, smooth side down. Spoon 2 tablespoons of feta mixture in center of each cutlet; fold up short sides over cheese, then long sides, making a packet. On baking sheet, arrange stuffed cutlets, seam side down (they should not touch); freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Wrap each in plastic; place in a resealable freezer bag; label, and date. Freeze up to 2 months.
To bake: Preheat oven to 400 degrees;. Line two large baking sheets with parchment. Unwrap frozen cutlets, and arrange, seam side down, on baking sheets; season with salt and pepper. Bake until chicken is opaque throughout, about 30 minutes. Serve 2 cutlets per person, topped, if desired, with tomato sauce. To bake without freezing: Decrease baking time by about 10 minutes.
Wednesday: Wild Turkey Tetrazini with wild harvested mushrooms, whole wheat noodles, and organic peas. This was EXCELLENT, definately not low fat, but a great treat-- very French. The recipe made 2 dishes worth-- one for today, one for the freezer. Here's the recipe:
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 Tablespoons butter
1 Pound white mushrooms, trimmed and sliced inch thick (I used 1/2 # white, 1/2 # wild mushrooms, harvested from the local woods)
1/2 Cup all-purpose flour
3 Cups milk
1 can (14.5 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 Cup dry white wine
3 Cups grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 Teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 Pound linguine, broken in half
1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded (about 4 cups) (I used leftover turkey from Jake's hunt last fall)
1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas, thawed and drained
Directions
Preheat oven to 400. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (for pasta). In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over high heat. Add mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, until tender and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and set aside.
Make sauce: In same saucepan, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour; cook, whisking, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, gradually add milk, broth, and wine. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and add 2 cups Parmesan and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente; drain and return to pot. Add sauce, chicken, peas, and mushrooms. Toss well to combine. Divide between two shallow 2-quart baking dishes; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Freeze (see below) or bake until browned, about 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Thursday: slacker night. I could hardly drag my butt out of the doldrums to make a meal (and I wasn't terribly hungry after scarfing down a 1/2 dozen chocolates). I made canned split pea soup with homemade whole wheat croutons (seasoned with olive oil, thyme, and freshly cracked pepper) Overall, not a bad meal.
Friday: Eggplant Bolognese with zucchini and whole wheat garlic bread, and a salad. I think I may be over doing the pasta dishes this week, but we'll all survive. Maybe I'll make a lovely tiramisu for dessert...
I have been in a cooking mood this week:
Monday: Asian Chicken Soup with soba noodles, sno peas, broccoli, and napa cabbage. It was ok, I'd probably find a good tom ka gai recipe and make it instead, with extra veggies.
Tuesday: Chicken bundles stuffed with feta, olive tapenade, and roasted red peppers. I served them with whole wheat pasta tossed with olive oil, fresh parmesan, garlic, and ricotta cheese with coarse ground salt and pepper. Awesome! The chicken bundles were prepared ahead and frozen, making them incredibly easy.
Ingredients
Serving: Serves 8
8 Ounces feta cheese, crumbled (2 Cups)
1/2 Cup jarred roasted red peppers, rinsed, patted dry, and coarsely chopped
1/2 Cup pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped (I used an olive tapenade I had in the fridge)
3 large scallions, thinly sliced (1 Cup)
1 Teaspoon dried oregano
16 (about 4 pounds total) chicken cutlets
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 Cups tomato sauce, (optional)
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine feta, peppers, olives, scallions, and oregano. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
Place cutlets on a flat surface, smooth side down. Spoon 2 tablespoons of feta mixture in center of each cutlet; fold up short sides over cheese, then long sides, making a packet. On baking sheet, arrange stuffed cutlets, seam side down (they should not touch); freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Wrap each in plastic; place in a resealable freezer bag; label, and date. Freeze up to 2 months.
To bake: Preheat oven to 400 degrees;. Line two large baking sheets with parchment. Unwrap frozen cutlets, and arrange, seam side down, on baking sheets; season with salt and pepper. Bake until chicken is opaque throughout, about 30 minutes. Serve 2 cutlets per person, topped, if desired, with tomato sauce. To bake without freezing: Decrease baking time by about 10 minutes.
Wednesday: Wild Turkey Tetrazini with wild harvested mushrooms, whole wheat noodles, and organic peas. This was EXCELLENT, definately not low fat, but a great treat-- very French. The recipe made 2 dishes worth-- one for today, one for the freezer. Here's the recipe:
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 Tablespoons butter
1 Pound white mushrooms, trimmed and sliced inch thick (I used 1/2 # white, 1/2 # wild mushrooms, harvested from the local woods)
1/2 Cup all-purpose flour
3 Cups milk
1 can (14.5 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 Cup dry white wine
3 Cups grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 Teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 Pound linguine, broken in half
1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded (about 4 cups) (I used leftover turkey from Jake's hunt last fall)
1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas, thawed and drained
Directions
Preheat oven to 400. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (for pasta). In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over high heat. Add mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, until tender and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and set aside.
Make sauce: In same saucepan, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour; cook, whisking, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, gradually add milk, broth, and wine. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and add 2 cups Parmesan and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente; drain and return to pot. Add sauce, chicken, peas, and mushrooms. Toss well to combine. Divide between two shallow 2-quart baking dishes; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Freeze (see below) or bake until browned, about 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Thursday: slacker night. I could hardly drag my butt out of the doldrums to make a meal (and I wasn't terribly hungry after scarfing down a 1/2 dozen chocolates). I made canned split pea soup with homemade whole wheat croutons (seasoned with olive oil, thyme, and freshly cracked pepper) Overall, not a bad meal.
Friday: Eggplant Bolognese with zucchini and whole wheat garlic bread, and a salad. I think I may be over doing the pasta dishes this week, but we'll all survive. Maybe I'll make a lovely tiramisu for dessert...
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Irish Soda Bread:
INGREDIENTS
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar (I used 1/2 sugar, 1/2 Splenda)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 pint sour cream (I used fat free yogurt and 2 Tb canola oil)
1 cup raisins
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, sour cream and raisins and mix until just combined. Distribute batter evenly between the two pans.
Bake loaves at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 1 hour.
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar (I used 1/2 sugar, 1/2 Splenda)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 pint sour cream (I used fat free yogurt and 2 Tb canola oil)
1 cup raisins
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, sour cream and raisins and mix until just combined. Distribute batter evenly between the two pans.
Bake loaves at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 1 hour.
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
I made these cupcakes for my new co-workers; I'm trying to schmooze myself into a job~
Make any recipe white cake into 30 standard sized cupcakes. Place on rack to cool.
Lemon Curd (make after cupcakes):
Mix in saucepan:
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
grated rind of 2 large/4 small lemons
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
Heat on medium/low flame while stirring constantly until mixture thickens and coats back of spoon. Remove from heat, and mix in, one piece at a time:
1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, until melted
Pass curd thru fine sieve into bowl placed over ice bath. Stir until cooled, cover surface with plastic wrap and cool until ready to use. Pipe into cooled cupcakes.
Meringue:
Beat with whip attachment until soft peaks form:
3 egg whites
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Meanwhile, heat until soft ball stage while stirring constantly:
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup light corn syrup
Drizzle hot syrup down side of mixing bowl into egg whites while beating in high speed. Continue to beat about 5 minutes. Pipe frosting while still warm for best effect.
I made my own colored/flavored sugar topping by mixing sugar crystals with yellow food gel and finely grated lemon rind, and topped each cupcake with a fondant flower I made. I thought they turned out cute, and they tasted great, too!
Make any recipe white cake into 30 standard sized cupcakes. Place on rack to cool.
Lemon Curd (make after cupcakes):
Mix in saucepan:
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
grated rind of 2 large/4 small lemons
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
Heat on medium/low flame while stirring constantly until mixture thickens and coats back of spoon. Remove from heat, and mix in, one piece at a time:
1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, until melted
Pass curd thru fine sieve into bowl placed over ice bath. Stir until cooled, cover surface with plastic wrap and cool until ready to use. Pipe into cooled cupcakes.
Meringue:
Beat with whip attachment until soft peaks form:
3 egg whites
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Meanwhile, heat until soft ball stage while stirring constantly:
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup light corn syrup
Drizzle hot syrup down side of mixing bowl into egg whites while beating in high speed. Continue to beat about 5 minutes. Pipe frosting while still warm for best effect.
I made my own colored/flavored sugar topping by mixing sugar crystals with yellow food gel and finely grated lemon rind, and topped each cupcake with a fondant flower I made. I thought they turned out cute, and they tasted great, too!
5 Pounds???
So last night I weighed myself on my new WalMart scale I just had to have and I was 162, which was very sad. But this morning, when I jumped on the scale, I was 157-- wtf??? 5 pounds???
Not like I'm complaining or anything, but a 5 # weight loss overnight is highly unlikely, unless there was an unfortunate loss of a limb, massive hemorrhage, or maybe even childbirth or a raging case of salmonella poisoning in the time between 9pm and 9 am. I even cheated and got up at midnight to have another lovely piece of that soda bread I made yesterday-- waaaay too yummy, even better than cupcakes!
I have nothing planned today, which makes me SAD. I have 2 little boys by myself this am, as hubby is working yet another 6 days in a row-- for which I know I should be humbled and grateful, but for which I am eversoslightly bummed about-- sometimes, I can go days without saying more than 4 sentences to my guy, just because we're so busy. Sigh! I guess missing your spouse is a nice alternative to the traditional "being sick of your spouse", or "fighting with your spouse", so I'll quit my whining. For now. I suppose it's time to do my "8 Minutes in the Morning", and wrangle up a walk with Mr Six.
Not like I'm complaining or anything, but a 5 # weight loss overnight is highly unlikely, unless there was an unfortunate loss of a limb, massive hemorrhage, or maybe even childbirth or a raging case of salmonella poisoning in the time between 9pm and 9 am. I even cheated and got up at midnight to have another lovely piece of that soda bread I made yesterday-- waaaay too yummy, even better than cupcakes!
I have nothing planned today, which makes me SAD. I have 2 little boys by myself this am, as hubby is working yet another 6 days in a row-- for which I know I should be humbled and grateful, but for which I am eversoslightly bummed about-- sometimes, I can go days without saying more than 4 sentences to my guy, just because we're so busy. Sigh! I guess missing your spouse is a nice alternative to the traditional "being sick of your spouse", or "fighting with your spouse", so I'll quit my whining. For now. I suppose it's time to do my "8 Minutes in the Morning", and wrangle up a walk with Mr Six.
Wonderful, Wonderful Walk:
Mr Six, Jacob, Cody and I went for a nice, long walk to the park this afternoon. The boys were a great addition to the walk, since they were wandering off into the woods, exploring rotten, hollowed out trees, bugs and the like. I had to keep lasso-ing them back to the trail so they didn't get lost, but we were having a blast in the process. Jacob kept finding those boll- things that grow inside the goldenrod stems, and I found a little golden snake that was killed. Was it bad of me to suggest that Cody put it in his pocket? (Grace thought it was a fake snake and screamed and screamed when she found out it was real and she touched it. tee hee-- she shouldn't be such a GIRL about such things...)
There were a lot of people on the trail and many more by the river, and I secretly felt glad that I had my "vicious" dog with me to make me feel safe-- some of those fishing guys look downright shady, and I was only too happy to glower at them menacingly while restraining my recently quarantined hell hound.
Life is good! We took lots of pictures; Everything looks go grey compared to the summer pics from last year.
Jacob says, "everything is waking up, mom".
There were a lot of people on the trail and many more by the river, and I secretly felt glad that I had my "vicious" dog with me to make me feel safe-- some of those fishing guys look downright shady, and I was only too happy to glower at them menacingly while restraining my recently quarantined hell hound.
Life is good! We took lots of pictures; Everything looks go grey compared to the summer pics from last year.
Jacob says, "everything is waking up, mom".
Asian Chicken salad
Our favorite meal, probably of all time. The kids always ask for this after a few weeks at camp:
Asian Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
Marinate--
1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
(as long as you can remember to, up to 24 hours) in Char Sui marinade
Char Sui Marinade:
1 cup hoisin sauce
1 Tb sugar
1 tsp chinese five spice
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
2 Tb rice wine vinegar (seasoned or unseasoned)
1 Tb minced ginger
1 Tb minced garlic
Mix all ingredients together
Asian Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I prefer Healthy Balance or light evoo)
1 1/2 Tb sesame oil
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 Tb minced ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp sugar (I use 1/2 sugar, 1/2 splenda-- more or less to taste)
black pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients and chill for several hours to blend flavors.
Salad:
Mix together--
1/2 large head napa cabbage, shredded
1 8-12 oz package mixed greens of your choice (not iceberg)
1-2 cups sno peas, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup carrots, sliced on bias
1-2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
1-2 cups bok choi, sliced
1/2-1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
1/2 cup sliced green onions
tomatoes, cukes, zucchini-- whatever additional vegetables float your boat
Preheat oven to Broil. Place chicken breasts on broiler pan and broil each side for 4 minutes.
Remove chicken from oven and place on oven proof plate-- cover with foil, and allow chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes.
Slice chicken thinly on a bias and return to plate. If it is still pink in the middle, cover with foil and place in warm oven for a short while.
Tamari Roasted Almonds:
Heat small pan on medium until hot. Add 1/2 to 1 cup sliced or whole almonds and heat for a couple minutes, stirring frequently until browned. Add a couple tablespoons tamari to pan and shake/stir almonds to coat. Continue to cook for a minute longer, and remove from heat. Allow almonds to cool in pan.
To serve:
Place a serving of salad on a plate and cover with some of the sliced chicken. Top chicken with Chow Mein noodles, tamari almonds, and (well shaken) vinaigrette to taste.
Asian Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
Marinate--
1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
(as long as you can remember to, up to 24 hours) in Char Sui marinade
Char Sui Marinade:
1 cup hoisin sauce
1 Tb sugar
1 tsp chinese five spice
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
2 Tb rice wine vinegar (seasoned or unseasoned)
1 Tb minced ginger
1 Tb minced garlic
Mix all ingredients together
Asian Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I prefer Healthy Balance or light evoo)
1 1/2 Tb sesame oil
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 Tb minced ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp sugar (I use 1/2 sugar, 1/2 splenda-- more or less to taste)
black pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients and chill for several hours to blend flavors.
Salad:
Mix together--
1/2 large head napa cabbage, shredded
1 8-12 oz package mixed greens of your choice (not iceberg)
1-2 cups sno peas, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup carrots, sliced on bias
1-2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
1-2 cups bok choi, sliced
1/2-1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
1/2 cup sliced green onions
tomatoes, cukes, zucchini-- whatever additional vegetables float your boat
Preheat oven to Broil. Place chicken breasts on broiler pan and broil each side for 4 minutes.
Remove chicken from oven and place on oven proof plate-- cover with foil, and allow chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes.
Slice chicken thinly on a bias and return to plate. If it is still pink in the middle, cover with foil and place in warm oven for a short while.
Tamari Roasted Almonds:
Heat small pan on medium until hot. Add 1/2 to 1 cup sliced or whole almonds and heat for a couple minutes, stirring frequently until browned. Add a couple tablespoons tamari to pan and shake/stir almonds to coat. Continue to cook for a minute longer, and remove from heat. Allow almonds to cool in pan.
To serve:
Place a serving of salad on a plate and cover with some of the sliced chicken. Top chicken with Chow Mein noodles, tamari almonds, and (well shaken) vinaigrette to taste.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Happy B'Lated St Patty's Day!
We are the procrastinators of all things holiday: we don't have a problem celebrating the holidays per se-- we just need about 2 additional weeks to prepare than most folks (plus, then all the holiday stuff is 75% off!). We are finally getting around to cooking up the traditional Irish feast of corned beef and cabbage, with some home baked irish soda bread thrown in for good measure. Yum! We went out last week at the last minute to the local pub to celebrate, which was very cool (I really can't ever recall celebrating that particular non-holiday; it isn't even on my radar, even tho I am close to 50% Irish. I must be getting sentimental for rowdy drinking holidays in my old age..)
I am sososo glad to have today off! I need at least 2 days off per week to feel sane-- I had only one this week. I slept in after getting the kids off to school until about 9, read for a while, then got the house clean, made phonecalls/appointments, started dinner, baked bread....
I am sososo glad to have today off! I need at least 2 days off per week to feel sane-- I had only one this week. I slept in after getting the kids off to school until about 9, read for a while, then got the house clean, made phonecalls/appointments, started dinner, baked bread....
What I want...
I want a regular job, one that I can get really good at so I can say I really and truly know what I'm doing. I want to get older doing the same thing over and over, so I can proudly (or exasperatingly) say "I've been here 10 years, or 15 years", blah blah blah. I want to be a figure to be reconed with on the unit, so when the shit goes down or we hire someone I don't like, I'm secure enough to get over it quickly. I want a secure position which will give me enough financial freedom to pay for things I want/need, especially VACATIONS! I love GI, it's easy/hard enough to be a balanced variant of boring and interesting to meet my changing needs:-) The new position I've been waiting over a month for is 2-10 hour days one week, and 2-10's and an 8 hour shift the next-- hopefully the same days of the week, so I can get a nice exercise routine going. There was the cutest young woman at work the other day whose slender, toned body reminded me of mine when I was that age. Boy, I miss that body...
Anyhoo, on the exercise note, I also want a digital scale so I can weigh myself at least once a week; maybe I'll pick one up this afternoon when I go to get milk (ah! the evil lure of the Super WalMart!).
I've been exercising the little peepee "8 Minutes a Day" and walking 30 + minutes most every day, and since I am so flabby and out of shape (but still about 2 sizes smaller that the average American woman, I have to add, in deference to my ego) I can really feel it-- you do arm exercises with weights and leg and abdominal stuff, but it's my calves that hurt the most. I do so much standing with my new job that I think the walking/standing combo has taken a toll. Fortunately, I'm certain I'll get used to it...
I am looking forward to seeing at least a 10# weight loss fairly effortlessly, since I am heavier than even I imagined (162# at work, but I was fully clothed, and it was after lunch). But still... eek!
Anyhoo, on the exercise note, I also want a digital scale so I can weigh myself at least once a week; maybe I'll pick one up this afternoon when I go to get milk (ah! the evil lure of the Super WalMart!).
I've been exercising the little peepee "8 Minutes a Day" and walking 30 + minutes most every day, and since I am so flabby and out of shape (but still about 2 sizes smaller that the average American woman, I have to add, in deference to my ego) I can really feel it-- you do arm exercises with weights and leg and abdominal stuff, but it's my calves that hurt the most. I do so much standing with my new job that I think the walking/standing combo has taken a toll. Fortunately, I'm certain I'll get used to it...
I am looking forward to seeing at least a 10# weight loss fairly effortlessly, since I am heavier than even I imagined (162# at work, but I was fully clothed, and it was after lunch). But still... eek!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
OLC:
Things I want to buy: coffee grinder, more decaf.
I want to cut back on my caffeine intake, and drink 1/2 and 1/2. I would also like to get off my PMS meds/OCP's, since they don't seem to work anyway-- I keep getting break through bleeding about a week early, which I'm sick of, and I have no sex drive/response (altho if I saw my husband more frequently and he talked to me and didn't openly ignore me when I'm speaking, I can't imagine the tremendous impact it would have on my interest in sex. Plus, I bet I'd respond favorably if I felt he didn't think I was an unattractive slob. A compliment or 2 once every few months would be nice, esp after I get dressed up and try my best to "clean up". Someone somewhere used to think I was hot...). The hormonal fluctuations are bothersome, but I'm hoping if I cut back on caffeine, exercise regularly, and maybe find something herbal to help with anxiety/stress.
I have discovered that I really like listening to conservative talk radio-- odd. It makes me feel like I am connected to the world, and able to participate in it if need be.
I spoke with my hubby today, and shared with him that I want to be done with renovations on the house for the time being (except those that are required-- like fixing the flowing river in the basement). I want to put the house on hold until we pay off some of the mortgage and stop trashing what we've already completed. I hate the carpeting and the bathroom, but putting in new flooring and putting on a master bedroom is not worth not being able to take vacations. Instead of paying for tuition for Grace, I'd really like to put at least $500 on the mortgage in addition to what Jake is paying, so we can knock that down asap so we can start vacationing. I really want to take a snorkeling trip, with a focus on sun and beautiful water, possibly a trip to Hawaii ($$$$$) and a trip to Austin soon. I have no guarantees my hubby will want to do anything once we are "able" to, since the only vacations he has ever suggested in all these years have revolved around sleeping in a tent, hiking 20 miles with 50# packs, and fishing trips. But, maybe I will find some cool friends who would like to escape for weekend getaways.
I would really like to get better at addressing/doing some of the things I don't like to do: walking, exercising, paying attention to finances, etc. I want to be more fully awake, but it just never seems to work out. Jake and I still don't have a joint account, I still have no idea how much $ he makes per week, esp with all his overtime (and we've been together, what-- 13 years?) Somehow, we are only getting like a $175 return on our taxes, and I can't fricken believe it! I guess it's better to get our money each paycheck instead of "loaning" it to the govt, only to get a portion of it back with no interest... what a bunch of BS.
Grace and I had a nice blowout today-- that girl is so rude to me, which is crap. I pay such obscene amounts of $ each month for her to be such a raging brat. It really makes me mad-- at least when she went to public school and screwed up, I had the option to get sucked into it and involved, or not. With all the money I'm shelling out each month for school, lessons, clothing, stupid $40 lunch field trips, I am forced to participate-- and I'm completely broke to boot! So she's a crabby bitch, I'm not happy to have to put up with her, and I have no money and no way to have fun to compensate for my misery . Some parents revel in the fact that they don't mind sacrificing vacations and other family nicities to send their kids to CC, but jeez! Grace is such a miserable thing to be around I'm not feeling the joy of being abused by her and happy to pay $600 each month for the priviledge. Public school, here she comes...
Six is doing better-- I'm ready to lock him and Charlie (cat) up in a room together and make them sort out their differences. That doggie loves me! Jake seems to be ok as long as I entertain the notion that we will be getting rid of Six-- I even put an ad in the work classifieds, which I would be surprised if anyone answers. Humor, humor-- the key to a happy marriage! Altho, to be honest, I so rarely see my husband and speak more than 4 sentences to him to be sure if we're happy or not. I'm not happy never going or doing anything, he's not happy with a chubby wife (on the high end of the NORMAL weight scale for my height, if you cared to know, but I think he's be ever so much happier if I was 5'10", 126 pounds, with a D cup. Ohwell.)
I want to cut back on my caffeine intake, and drink 1/2 and 1/2. I would also like to get off my PMS meds/OCP's, since they don't seem to work anyway-- I keep getting break through bleeding about a week early, which I'm sick of, and I have no sex drive/response (altho if I saw my husband more frequently and he talked to me and didn't openly ignore me when I'm speaking, I can't imagine the tremendous impact it would have on my interest in sex. Plus, I bet I'd respond favorably if I felt he didn't think I was an unattractive slob. A compliment or 2 once every few months would be nice, esp after I get dressed up and try my best to "clean up". Someone somewhere used to think I was hot...). The hormonal fluctuations are bothersome, but I'm hoping if I cut back on caffeine, exercise regularly, and maybe find something herbal to help with anxiety/stress.
I have discovered that I really like listening to conservative talk radio-- odd. It makes me feel like I am connected to the world, and able to participate in it if need be.
I spoke with my hubby today, and shared with him that I want to be done with renovations on the house for the time being (except those that are required-- like fixing the flowing river in the basement). I want to put the house on hold until we pay off some of the mortgage and stop trashing what we've already completed. I hate the carpeting and the bathroom, but putting in new flooring and putting on a master bedroom is not worth not being able to take vacations. Instead of paying for tuition for Grace, I'd really like to put at least $500 on the mortgage in addition to what Jake is paying, so we can knock that down asap so we can start vacationing. I really want to take a snorkeling trip, with a focus on sun and beautiful water, possibly a trip to Hawaii ($$$$$) and a trip to Austin soon. I have no guarantees my hubby will want to do anything once we are "able" to, since the only vacations he has ever suggested in all these years have revolved around sleeping in a tent, hiking 20 miles with 50# packs, and fishing trips. But, maybe I will find some cool friends who would like to escape for weekend getaways.
I would really like to get better at addressing/doing some of the things I don't like to do: walking, exercising, paying attention to finances, etc. I want to be more fully awake, but it just never seems to work out. Jake and I still don't have a joint account, I still have no idea how much $ he makes per week, esp with all his overtime (and we've been together, what-- 13 years?) Somehow, we are only getting like a $175 return on our taxes, and I can't fricken believe it! I guess it's better to get our money each paycheck instead of "loaning" it to the govt, only to get a portion of it back with no interest... what a bunch of BS.
Grace and I had a nice blowout today-- that girl is so rude to me, which is crap. I pay such obscene amounts of $ each month for her to be such a raging brat. It really makes me mad-- at least when she went to public school and screwed up, I had the option to get sucked into it and involved, or not. With all the money I'm shelling out each month for school, lessons, clothing, stupid $40 lunch field trips, I am forced to participate-- and I'm completely broke to boot! So she's a crabby bitch, I'm not happy to have to put up with her, and I have no money and no way to have fun to compensate for my misery . Some parents revel in the fact that they don't mind sacrificing vacations and other family nicities to send their kids to CC, but jeez! Grace is such a miserable thing to be around I'm not feeling the joy of being abused by her and happy to pay $600 each month for the priviledge. Public school, here she comes...
Six is doing better-- I'm ready to lock him and Charlie (cat) up in a room together and make them sort out their differences. That doggie loves me! Jake seems to be ok as long as I entertain the notion that we will be getting rid of Six-- I even put an ad in the work classifieds, which I would be surprised if anyone answers. Humor, humor-- the key to a happy marriage! Altho, to be honest, I so rarely see my husband and speak more than 4 sentences to him to be sure if we're happy or not. I'm not happy never going or doing anything, he's not happy with a chubby wife (on the high end of the NORMAL weight scale for my height, if you cared to know, but I think he's be ever so much happier if I was 5'10", 126 pounds, with a D cup. Ohwell.)
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
To do list:
Today, on my only, wonderful day off, I have many things I need to do. First:
1) Schedule dog appt: Six took off a small chunk of my husband's face on Saturday, when he unwisely decided to show Six who's boss and take away his bone. Six gave him all the signs that he wasn't in a good frame of mind-- he's been acting up in general lately-- and he took a warning nip. Sadly, Jake's face was in the way, and he lost a little scrap of his lip (gross! gross! ewww! I got to put it in a baggie to take to the ER. 25 stitches!) Mr. Six is now in quarantine for 10 days, and he seems to be calming down. I can't help but wonder if he was freaked out from our being gone most of last week, and if he's caught a whiff of spring fever. I think he secretly likes being isolated in the back room, away from the wiles of the cat who has become his nemesis. Jake of course now wants to get rid of my beloved Mr Six, and it makes me sad-- Jake can be a bully and try to show everyone in his household that he's the boss, with very much the same reaction-- Six just did what we all wish we could do, if our teeth were sharper. What kind of a dumbass would try to show up a growling and defensive dog? I love my Mr Six, I really don't think it's fair; he really didn't mean to bite, and he's been through so much lately :-( I'm sad for Jake, too, that he has stitches and will likely have a scar-- no, the dog shouldn't have nipped him, but when you back a defensive animal into a corner and threaten it, what can you expect? Boo.
2) Library: I owe the library $ on a pretty regular basis-- I'd better get my books back before I owe them some more.
3) Clean my house: Yeah, I better get right on that...
4) Grocery shop: Man, this day is looking more and more lame. I realized the other day that the reason I am likely "depressed" (I am using the term loosely. No, I'm not a candidate for shock therapy. Yet.) is that I NEVER get the opportunity to be myself, either due to a lack of funds, a lack of companions, or a dwindling lack of imagination. I watched "Stranger than Fiction" yesterday, after a 4th attempt-- and I had a brief flash that, given a change in circumstance, I would have been the Maggie Gyllenhaal character in the movie: creative, spontaneous, irreverent-- an individual with a beautiful lightness of being, instead of the heavy, clunky oppressive figure I have become. I used to have so much FUN, and now-- fun is so hard to come by. I really like my new job, I think there is fun to be had there; I'm uncertain at this point if I want to pursue a regular FTE, as I'll get paid less (but probably about the same when you add in the PTO accrual and benefits), and be tied to the position, which tends to take some of the fun away. Plus, working at 6:30-- getting the kids off to school, working all those unpleasant details out is a bit of a brain drain (and being coherent at that hour would be hard, and 10 hour shifts... eek! But at least I'll have less days at work during the week, and theoretically more time for myself when I'm off. Yippee!) Hopefully, I'll get some kind of raise this spring; it's not looking too good, for the first time....
I wish my irreverent spirit wasn't so threatening to my husband, who wishes I'd be more like him: asleep, contented/numb, single mindedly obsessed with fishing and being most satsfied when alone (not alone with him/me. Just alone.) I'd like some wacky friends for spontaneous adventures; I am chomping at the bit to go and do and see and not be content to sit and do nothing. I need to get out and explore the world around me, but I really don't want to do it alone. 99.9% of all the people I've met in the North have been dull-- no sense of adventure, never want to do anything, can't break out of their daily life of humdrum obligation, Yawn. I'm desperately bored, but lack enough imagination to figure out how to solve it. Sometimes I think it's intentional, since if my life started expanding, I wouldn't have so much time to cater the the hubby and kids-- but they need to get lives of their own, really and truly. And the little that they do indulge me, they don't seem terrbily happy about it. Waaaaaaaaaaaah!
1) Schedule dog appt: Six took off a small chunk of my husband's face on Saturday, when he unwisely decided to show Six who's boss and take away his bone. Six gave him all the signs that he wasn't in a good frame of mind-- he's been acting up in general lately-- and he took a warning nip. Sadly, Jake's face was in the way, and he lost a little scrap of his lip (gross! gross! ewww! I got to put it in a baggie to take to the ER. 25 stitches!) Mr. Six is now in quarantine for 10 days, and he seems to be calming down. I can't help but wonder if he was freaked out from our being gone most of last week, and if he's caught a whiff of spring fever. I think he secretly likes being isolated in the back room, away from the wiles of the cat who has become his nemesis. Jake of course now wants to get rid of my beloved Mr Six, and it makes me sad-- Jake can be a bully and try to show everyone in his household that he's the boss, with very much the same reaction-- Six just did what we all wish we could do, if our teeth were sharper. What kind of a dumbass would try to show up a growling and defensive dog? I love my Mr Six, I really don't think it's fair; he really didn't mean to bite, and he's been through so much lately :-( I'm sad for Jake, too, that he has stitches and will likely have a scar-- no, the dog shouldn't have nipped him, but when you back a defensive animal into a corner and threaten it, what can you expect? Boo.
2) Library: I owe the library $ on a pretty regular basis-- I'd better get my books back before I owe them some more.
3) Clean my house: Yeah, I better get right on that...
4) Grocery shop: Man, this day is looking more and more lame. I realized the other day that the reason I am likely "depressed" (I am using the term loosely. No, I'm not a candidate for shock therapy. Yet.) is that I NEVER get the opportunity to be myself, either due to a lack of funds, a lack of companions, or a dwindling lack of imagination. I watched "Stranger than Fiction" yesterday, after a 4th attempt-- and I had a brief flash that, given a change in circumstance, I would have been the Maggie Gyllenhaal character in the movie: creative, spontaneous, irreverent-- an individual with a beautiful lightness of being, instead of the heavy, clunky oppressive figure I have become. I used to have so much FUN, and now-- fun is so hard to come by. I really like my new job, I think there is fun to be had there; I'm uncertain at this point if I want to pursue a regular FTE, as I'll get paid less (but probably about the same when you add in the PTO accrual and benefits), and be tied to the position, which tends to take some of the fun away. Plus, working at 6:30-- getting the kids off to school, working all those unpleasant details out is a bit of a brain drain (and being coherent at that hour would be hard, and 10 hour shifts... eek! But at least I'll have less days at work during the week, and theoretically more time for myself when I'm off. Yippee!) Hopefully, I'll get some kind of raise this spring; it's not looking too good, for the first time....
I wish my irreverent spirit wasn't so threatening to my husband, who wishes I'd be more like him: asleep, contented/numb, single mindedly obsessed with fishing and being most satsfied when alone (not alone with him/me. Just alone.) I'd like some wacky friends for spontaneous adventures; I am chomping at the bit to go and do and see and not be content to sit and do nothing. I need to get out and explore the world around me, but I really don't want to do it alone. 99.9% of all the people I've met in the North have been dull-- no sense of adventure, never want to do anything, can't break out of their daily life of humdrum obligation, Yawn. I'm desperately bored, but lack enough imagination to figure out how to solve it. Sometimes I think it's intentional, since if my life started expanding, I wouldn't have so much time to cater the the hubby and kids-- but they need to get lives of their own, really and truly. And the little that they do indulge me, they don't seem terrbily happy about it. Waaaaaaaaaaaah!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
In a Rut, part 2
Ok, you say-- join the gym already! As if it were that simple... I own no exercise clothes (that fit), or athletic shoes. (or a spine, or a resolve...)
I DID call, and I can sign up until 12 today, and Jacob can go swimming with me from 1-4 today. I'll be off on Wednesday and Friday, so I could do classes those days, and Jake and I could exercise together Monday night during Jacob's swim class.
I would also like to take a trip to Austin this spring, and maybe a quick weekend visit to Disney World. And a trip to Chicago (actually, I'm going tomorrow. Wahoo!)
I DID call, and I can sign up until 12 today, and Jacob can go swimming with me from 1-4 today. I'll be off on Wednesday and Friday, so I could do classes those days, and Jake and I could exercise together Monday night during Jacob's swim class.
I would also like to take a trip to Austin this spring, and maybe a quick weekend visit to Disney World. And a trip to Chicago (actually, I'm going tomorrow. Wahoo!)
In a Rut
I am currently in a rut to transcend all ruts-- I am lethargic, a wee bit depressed, and completely uninterested in doing anything. A fantastic day by my latest standards is defined by having absolutely NOTHING to do, but then I am somehow deeply distressed that I end up doing NOTHING. I think the excitement comes from having the option to find something on my own to do above and beyond the humdrum, but since I can't, it bums me out. Der...
What I'd really like to do, but I am not sure if I can pull it off, is join the local gym and go at least a couple times a week for a class and use the equipment on my days off. I know it would be hard, since I'm so flabby and out of shape, and I'm a lazy slacker, but I'd still like to try it. I'd also like to go work out with my hubby once or twice a week; I think it would be a great way to "spice up" our marriage, kindof sexy to get all sweaty together and in shape....
I wanted to mention after all my whining and lamenting that hubby and Jacob surprised me last weekend with the coolest of all cool birthday presents; a scary, really heavy garden gnome-- it's AWESOME! Totally redeems the lame birthday party fiasco. They also got me a CAKE, and sang me Happy Birthday! I was very happy:-)
What I'd really like to do, but I am not sure if I can pull it off, is join the local gym and go at least a couple times a week for a class and use the equipment on my days off. I know it would be hard, since I'm so flabby and out of shape, and I'm a lazy slacker, but I'd still like to try it. I'd also like to go work out with my hubby once or twice a week; I think it would be a great way to "spice up" our marriage, kindof sexy to get all sweaty together and in shape....
I wanted to mention after all my whining and lamenting that hubby and Jacob surprised me last weekend with the coolest of all cool birthday presents; a scary, really heavy garden gnome-- it's AWESOME! Totally redeems the lame birthday party fiasco. They also got me a CAKE, and sang me Happy Birthday! I was very happy:-)
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